New Workstation Advice Wanted

[jamesframes]

I have an almost 5 year old Dell 350 workstation that I have been lucky to have used wihout much trouble all this time.
Quick specs are a P4 2.4Ghz, 1.5G RAM, Quadro4 900XGL grahics, dual flat monitors.

I'd like to spend about or under $2k for a new system (minus monitors). I don't need the ultimate system (I work with alot of automation equipment type mechanical assemblies) but I do want something pretty good - time is money in this business! Currently I am seeing a bit of trouble (caused by not enough memory I believe) running SW 2008 sp5 (I just upgraded - and will probably upgrade to 09 in spring).

Does anyone want to take a stab at a suggestion? I prefer to buy a Dell or HP or pre-packaged system - but I might take the plunge and build my own system from components if that seems worth it.

Thanks in advance!

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Take a look at the Xi offerings from

http://www.xicomputer.com/

You can configure a nice system for $2K

 

[Theophilus]

Check existing posts here and at the official SolidWorks forum and you'll find lots of other recent posts on this, too. I've had great experience with several Xi systems, and highly recommend them--particularly over something like Dell.

Also, see reviews for hardware at Cadalyst.com.



Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

A people who value security over freedom will soon find they have neither.

 

[jamesframes]

Another question - to be more specific.
Is a dual core (or quad core) any advantage (do they even make single core anymore) for non-photoshop SW use?
How about 64 bit operating systems vs 32 bit?

 

[handleman]

Once again, both of these topics have been discussed multiple times. Try the Google search link above.

-handleman, CSWP (The new, easy test)

 

[MadMango]

Anna Wood's Benchmark spreadsheet might give you some further insight as well.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pz7wTpIkC7LA28ybEyxyTPw

 

[Theophilus]

Dual-core is typically quicker than quad-core unless you're doing renderings. 64-bit OS allows much greater RAM capacity, among other things.

I know searching this forum is a pain, but there are loads of posts on this forum, as well as others, as well as great information on workstation components in the Cadalyst.com reviews. Try using Stefan's Google search for Eng-tips.com--works great:

http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=002557837009826505804:7g6crxavusi

http://www.eng-tips.com/faqs.cfm?fid=1336

Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

A people who value security over freedom will soon find they have neither.

 

[jamesframes]

From your advice searching around, here is what I am seeing as an answer to my question;
Buy a built up system, but not necessarily Dell or HP (like maybe XiComputer).
Stick with XP32 OS, Core Duo E8500 processor, and 4G DDR2 Ram(but get a motherboard able to handle at least 8G for future possible switch to Vista64 if more memory becomes needed in years to come).
Not sure about using the 3G switch in XP.
Either a Quadro FX 570 or FX 1700. Wondering if the 57o might be better becuase at 256MB vs 512MB it will use less of the system memory (leaving more available for application).

I would probably just up the memory in my current Dell 350, but the motherboard is maxed out at 1.5G.

This system will cost about $2k (if I include a monitor and XP OS). Should keep me going pretty well for another few years.

Any comments?

 

[Theophilus]

Looks fairly well. If you're bumping into the RAM ceiling of 32-bit OS, go with Vista and not XP64 (weird, eh?). If not, stick with a 32-bit OS (XP preferred by my experience) and use the /3GB switch for sure. Some graphics cards need a mention when using the /3GB switch, so check on that--I think the nVidia cards typically do not need such treatment.

I've got a Core 2 Duo E8400 chip and it does very well--particularly for the cost of less than $200 (when this line was new).

Now is certainly a good time to build a system--many of the items are quite inexpensive. Xi does great work and has excellent service.



Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

A people who value security over freedom will soon find they have neither.

 

[jamesframes]

This is what I decided to buy;
The new i7 920 2.66GHz processor, 3Gb DDR3 1600MHz RAM, matching motherboard, Quadro FX1700 graphics. Running with XP32. I'll let you know how it performs when I get it next week.

 

[Theophilus]

Are you rendering a lot such that the additional (slow) two cores will help? Otherwise, that's a bit of a pricey chip for the relatively slow clock speed. (But it looks like you can overclock it if you can cool it well enough.)

Good luck with assembly. I'd be interested in knowing how well the FX-1700 does for you.



Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

A people who value security over freedom will soon find they have neither.